RNA sequence restrains fatal encephalitis

70652986 — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 06:25:17 -0400

One short sequence of RNA protected mice from deadly brain inflammation caused by West Nile virus and Japanese encephalitis virus, report Priti Kumar, Manjunath Swamy, and Premlata Shankar. The findings, which appear online and in the April 2006 PLoS Medicine, underscore the therapeutic potential of the fast-moving field of RNA interference. It has only been four years since scientists first showed that RNA interference, which protects plants, flies, and worms from viral infections, also works in mammalian cells. Now, at least two experimental siRNA therapies already have advanced to phase I safety trials in people. Short interfering RNA (siRNA) silences genes most commonly by triggering the destruction of RNA before proteins can be made.

RNA technology thwarts HIV

70652986 — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 05:22:05 -0400

RNA interference (RNAi) is a naturally occurring phenomenon by which cells guard themselves against viruses. The process involves post-transcriptional gene silencing in which specific RNA sequences get chopped into small pieces after binding to complementary short interfering RNAs (siRNA). These siRNAs can target either host mRNAs or viral genomic or messenger RNAs. As a consequence, gene expression and protein synthesis are blocked, inhibiting viral infection. Researchers at Harvard Medical School and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have used RNA interference to inhibit HIV infection in host cells, raising hopes that the technology can be developed to complement available antiretroviral therapies. "It is interesting that this ancient, natural defense mechanism against viruses can be harnessed against HIV," said Premlata Shankar, an HMS assistant professor of pediatrics at the Center for Blood Research and a lead author on the study, which appeared in print in the July 2002 issue of the journal Nature Medicine.

all Premlata Shankar stories

RNA sequence restrains fatal encephalitis

RNA technology thwarts HIV